Are you for or against the death penalty? - Page 4 - U.S. Politics Online: A Political Discussion Forum

daddio · #46 (**permalink**) 09-18-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by wphelan

Before discussing whether or not any innocent people have been executed in this country, I'd like to get an idea about everyone's fundamental ideas about the death penalty.

Do people who support the death penalty think it is acceptable that innocent people might be executed along with the guilty? If one innocent person is executed for every 99 guilty people, is it still acceptable to use the death penalty? How about one for every 999 guilty?

Do supporters of the death penalty have enough faith in the justice system to believe that no innocent person could ever be put to death in this country, or do they think the benefits of the death penalty outweigh the cost of taking innocent lives?

As I've said before, I do not support the death penalty because I do not believe the justice system gets the verdict correct 100 percent of the time. The possibility that one innocent person could be executed is enough reason for me to be against it. Furthermore, I think it's nearly certain to have already happened.

Has happened but not recently as in not in a generation or more. In fact, the judicial process has proven itself in correcting misjustice in the past and getting it fixed.

Moreover the system has found a way to address the elements that allowed the miscarriages of the past largely to its proscribed appeal process. You may have been able to get the hangin judge in your hometown to go along but now its extends too far beyond that level to let bad things happen.

The Justice system may have a bad reputation but they have gotten some things right.

So, to answer your question, I don't expect any system involving people to be 100% perfect but I do expect procedure to be followed and if it is then we've made the due diligence necessary to support capital punishment.

AJG · #47 (**permalink**) 09-18-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve

There are people who, as a result of their actions, deserve to die...

Why do they deserve to die?

Steve · #48 (**permalink**) 09-18-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJG

Why do they deserve to die?

Well, for instance:

If someone kidnaps a child, brutally rapes that child, and then kills that child, that person gives up any and all right to live.

Sadly, that scenario isn't one that I made up.

Anyone who would believe that such a person shouldn't be put to death is, well, beyond reason.

And, ftankly, I think that lethal injection is far too humane. I would much prefer that we go back to firing squads and my personal favorite, public hangings...

daddio · #49 (**permalink**) 09-18-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJG

Why do they deserve to die?

Because they've proven themselves to be a mortal threat to others. Others who used to have the life that law is there to protect. There is only one way to insure, without cruelty, that they never do it again.

pramjockey · #50 (**permalink**) 09-18-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by daddio

Because they've proven themselves to be a mortal threat to others. Others who used to have the life that law is there to protect. There is only one way to insure, without cruelty, that they never do it again.

What about those who are killed but are not guilty of the crime(s) of which they have been accused?

Hafke · #51 (**permalink**) 09-19-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve

Well, for instance:

If someone kidnaps a child, brutally rapes that child, and then kills that child, that person gives up any and all right to live.

Why would it be worse if it's a child?

daddio · #52 (**permalink**) 09-19-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by pramjockey

What about those who are killed but are not guilty of the crime(s) of which they have been accused?

They were found to be guilty by the original prosecution and confirmed in the mandatory appeal process.

I presume you mean those that could not interject reasonable doubt of their guilt sufficient to convince the jury ?

EricOKC · #53 (**permalink**) 09-19-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by pramjockey

What about those who are killed but are not guilty of the crime(s) of which they have been accused?

There is not now, nor has there ever been, an innocent person on death row. ALL were convicted of a crime and sentenced to death.

pramjockey · #54 (**permalink**) 09-19-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by daddio

They were found to be guilty by the original prosecution and confirmed in the mandatory appeal process.

I presume you mean those that could not interject reasonable doubt of their guilt sufficient to convince the jury ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricOKC

There is not now, nor has there ever been, an innocent person on death row. ALL were convicted of a crime and sentenced to death.

I'm not sure if you're both just being difficult, or if you're just unaware of the significant number of death row cases that have been overturned based on DNA evidence that proves that the convicted were innocent of the crimes for which they had been convicted.

Were they convicted? Yes. Had they actually done the crime for which they were to be killed? No. Does that amount to the State killing an innocent? Yes.

wphelan · #55 (**permalink**) 09-19-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricOKC

There is not now, nor has there ever been, an innocent person on death row. ALL were convicted of a crime and sentenced to death.

There have been more than one hundred innocent people on death row who have been exonerated. The very fact that they were found guilty and sentenced to death is exactly why I cannot support the death penalty. I don't have enough faith in the justice system to suppose it is correct 100 percent of the time.

daddio · #56 (**permalink**) 09-19-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by pramjockey

I'm not sure if you're both just being difficult, or if you're just unaware of the significant number of death row cases that have been overturned based on DNA evidence that proves that the convicted were innocent of the crimes for which they had been convicted.

Were they convicted? Yes. Had they actually done the crime for which they were to be killed? No. Does that amount to the State killing an innocent? Yes.

You prove the point that the system is working. Mistakes are discovered and remedied. Its been a generation or two since it was not caught because the process has been worked on and improved.

Thorvald · #57 (**permalink**) 09-19-2008

This is one of the issues I've not a straight answer, although I voted yes in the poll.

I think pedophiles and other twisted sick minds deserve to die, but what if an innocent person is condemned to be hanged? If a person is trapted?

You are innoncent of any crime, yet you are being hanged tomorrow?

EricOKC · #58 (**permalink**) 09-19-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by pramjockey

I'm not sure if you're both just being difficult, or if you're just unaware of the significant number of death row cases that have been overturned based on DNA evidence that proves that the convicted were innocent of the crimes for which they had been convicted.

Were they convicted? Yes. Had they actually done the crime for which they were to be killed? No. Does that amount to the State killing an innocent? Yes.

There may have been evidence eventually presented which exonerated them - which is great in their particular case - but the fact remains that they were convicted of a capital crime under the laws and processes of this nation. We do not require "proof beyond ALL doubt" but "proof beyond REASONABLE doubt". There is a big difference.

ThorHammer · #59 (**permalink**) 09-19-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hafke

Could you give some reasons?

Sorry, forgot about this thread.

I believe, for certain crimes, death is the only answer and the only real justice available.

wphelan · #60 (**permalink**) 09-19-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by daddio

They were found to be guilty by the original prosecution and confirmed in the mandatory appeal process.

I presume you mean those that could not interject reasonable doubt of their guilt sufficient to convince the jury ?

Yes, the fact that innocent people are found guilty and 'confirmed' guilty after appeals is precisely why I am against the death penalty. The justice system gets it wrong sometimes.

I'm not sure what you are arguing. Are you saying the justice system is never wrong? Are you saying is worth executing the actually guilty people even if some innocent have to be executed as well?

View Poll Results: Are you for or against the death penalty?
For	24	53.33%
Against	21	46.67%
Voters: 45. You may not vote on this poll

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